Travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can fly out of in Kuala Lumpur. Explore your options departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) when searching for a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are Nairobi's major entry points.
Leave enough time to catch your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying over a peak time such as August? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
If you hold a passport from Malaysia, you will need an ETA to enter Kenya. This applies if you're booking a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check the visa rules before you make travel plans and definitely before you fly.
Flying from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even explore a different city. When browsing flights from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU)
KUL is about 64 kilometres from central Kuala Lumpur. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 1 hour and 3 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 4 hours and 29 minutes.
Want a convenient hotel close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi, check out these options when departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Kuala Lumpur to SZB in about 1 hour and 32 minutes. The airport is roughly 24 kilometres away, and making the journey by car takes approximately 27 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi? Check in to a hotel near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport before your trip officially begins. Consider one of these stays:
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is around 14 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 22 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour and 11 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near NBO:
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Once your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 15 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is approximately 3 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL).
The journey will take about 46 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi, kick back at a hotel close to WIL. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi
RM702 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi. Return flights start at RM1,474. These prices may change based on availability and demand.
It's a good idea to book as early as possible if you want to get cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi. That's because flight prices are based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the departure date.
Getting cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi is easy if you can be flexible with your dates. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to show the lowest fares across the month and snap up a great deal.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll get in touch straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of looking for cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi every day.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi.
Best time to go to Nairobi
February is the quietest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi, while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to visit Nairobi based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi for March if you want to head to the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Nairobi to range from 14ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi in July if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 12ºC and 24ºC on average.
More about Nairobi
Once you've booked your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Nairobi:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are must-visits when exploring Nairobi.
Complete your Nairobi trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Nairobi, from the most popular car rental to the best time to book.